Fukuhara Taira

The Fukuhara Taira were a feudal Japanese samurai clan who were one of the two major branches of the Taira family, along with the Yashima Taira. Named for their capital of Fukuhara, they were led by Taira Kiyomori durng the Hogen Rebellion of 1156, the Heiji Rebellion of 1157, and the Genpei War of 1180-1185. After the end of the wars, the remaining Taira lords had to submit to the Kamakura Minamoto daimyo Minamoto Yoritomo and served him as vassals.

History
Taira Kiyomori was the head of the Taira family from the city of Fukuhara, and led his branch to prominence in the 1150s in alliance with the Kamakura Minamoto clan in the Hogen Rebellion. With the Fujiwara sesshos (regents) ousted, Kiyomori established the first samurai government in Japan and crushed Minamoto opposition in the Heiji Rebellion o1 1159. Afterwards, the Taira were free to rule Japan from Kyoto, and they deposed Emperor Takakura in 1180 in the favor of his one-year-old grandson Antoku. The Minamoto still felt that had everything to fight for and engaged them in the Genpei War for five years. Although the Taira won many of their initial battles, by 1183 the tide was turning and in 1185 they were crushed when Kyoto fell to Minamoto Yoritomo.

Forced to become a vassal, Taira Yoshinari ruled the lands in the name of the Minamoto, who became the most powerful clan in Japan. They stood loyal to their former enemies in the 1190 Kenkyu War between supporters of Emperor Go-Toba and Minamoto Yoritomo. The Taira clan was abandoned, however, when the Kiso Minamoto declared war, as Yoritomo wanted to avoid a civil war between the two clans.